Hooked: How Processed Food Became Addictive

Michael Moss, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter, investigates how the processed food industry exploits our evolutionary instincts, emotions, and legal loopholes to profit over public health in his book "Hooked." He reveals that food can be addictive, even more so than alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, and that the industry has developed fifty-six types of sugar and ways to exploit our preference for fast, ready-to-eat foods. Moss also shows how the industry has tried to hide the addictiveness of food and exploit it, leading to the current public health crisis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2021
Publisher: Ebury Publishing

From the acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt Sugar Fat comes a groundbreaking exposé that delves into the intricate ways in which the processed food industry leverages our evolutionary instincts, the emotions we associate with food, and legal loopholes to prioritize profit over public health.

The processed food industry has cleverly evaded being associated with Big Tobacco, making Michael Moss's new book all the more crucial in shedding light on its practices. Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, emphasizes the significance of Moss's work in this regard.

Maintaining a healthy diet can be a challenging task, but what if certain decisions we make about our food choices are beyond our control? Is it possible that food can be addictive, akin to drugs or alcohol? And to what extent does the food industry understand or care about these vulnerabilities?

In his compelling book, Hooked, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Michael Moss sets out to answer these questions and expose the true peril lurking in our food. Moss employs the latest research on addiction to unveil the shocking truth that, in certain cases, food can be even more addictive than alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Our bodies are biologically programmed to crave sweets, which has led food giants to develop a staggering fifty-six different types of sugar to incorporate into their products. Moreover, they have devised ingenious strategies to exploit our evolutionary preference for fast, ready-to-eat foods.

Moss takes readers on a revealing journey as he uncovers the tactics employed by the processed food industry, including major corporations such as Nestlé, Mars, and Kellogg's. These companies have not only attempted to conceal the addictiveness of food but have actively exploited it. As obesity rates continue to soar, manufacturers are now claiming to incorporate ingredients that can effortlessly cure our compulsive eating habits.

This gripping account of the legal battles, insidious marketing campaigns, and cutting-edge food science that have led us to our current public health crisis is a must-read for anyone concerned about the well-being of themselves and their loved ones. It serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for transparency, regulation, and a shift towards healthier food choices. By understanding the mechanisms that drive our food choices, we can empower ourselves to make informed decisions and take back control of our health.

Weight: 506g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780753556320